Suggestion - It's Just Not Cricket...

There's been a lot of bluster RE: the looming tour of Australia to Zimbabwe. Apart from the fact that the tour shouldn't be going ahead, what peeves me about this is how the Australian Government seems to want to defer blame onto Cricket Australia than wear any criticism themselves.

If I'm reading the tea leaves correctly, the argument goes like this. The Government is trying to convince Cricket Australia to withdraw from the tour (ABC News Article) however, but pulling out unilaterally, CA is likely to incur a $2m fine, possible sanction from other cricket countries (affecting future income) and likely lawsuits for losses. In response, the government has said it will pay the $2m fine.

However, if I'm reading what CA are saying, if they are unable to tour because of the actions taken by a third party (i.e. if the Australian Government imposes sanctions and stops them from going), then they'll be liable for NOTHING! Jack squat! Nix!

So, what we're seeing here is the government trying to play politics through a sporting organisation because it itself is too weak wristed to take action!!!

In my mind, it's easy to work out who the bad guys are here...

EDIT (4/6): And as we've now worked it, this is exactly what the ACB was eluding to and, to their credit, Howard's lot have seen fit to intervene and ban the Aussie team from touring.